Patrick Flaherty

I’m interested in using large-scale genomic data to provide the best clinical diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other genetic diseases. To do that, my research involves designing computationally efficient statistical tools to interpret and integrate large-scale data sets generated by sequencing, microarray and other high-throughput experimental platforms. New biological detection and measurement technologies are drastically changing the amount of data we can obtain from a clinical or experimental sample. However, the statistical tools that are currently available to address genomics data are overwhelmed by the amount of data new technologies are capable of delivering. The goal of my research is to develop statistical methods for very large data sets to understand and quantify the contribution of genetic factors to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other genetic diseases.

At WPI and within the Biomedical Engineering department, we create a learning environment to support students who want to address major societal needs. The project- oriented curriculum at WPI allows students to bring their ideas, talents and energy to bear on the solution of important, interdisciplinary challenges. As a teacher, I aim to catalyze the transformation of that raw talent and energy into new knowledge and applications in the classroom, in major projects and in the laboratory. WPI and my lab provide a space for students to work together, combining their efforts to innovate new ways of addressing the challenge of understanding and treating disease. It is very rewarding to work with students as they create solutions that will contribute to improving patients’ lives.